Jumaat, 2 Ogos 2013

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food

Let’s talk about food at Tabletalk

Posted: 02 Aug 2013 10:45 PM PDT

By Eu Hooi Khaw
August 03, 2013
Latest Update: August 03, 2013 02:27 pm

Tucking in some crispy and aromatic duck leg.The Crispy Duck with Crispy Rice totally got me. I thought it was an amazing combination at Tabletalk, a café in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. It was comfort food at its best – a deep fried duck leg sitting atop rice in a delicate fish soup, and topped with aromatic, crispy rice.

The duck had been marinated with spices, steamed and then deep fried. The skin was crackling and the juicy meat fell off the bone in this fragrant crispy duck (heong so ngap).

It matched well with the soup that had chopped choysam and mushrooms, and rice in it. The crispy rice released a roasted aroma at the bite, and it was delicious altogether.

A fresh seafood delight in one plate.The Cod with Fried Peppercorns stood out as well. It was a lightly grilled cod sitting in a fish broth steeped from cod bones and chicken, with clams and diced potato in it. Cherry tomatoes were added in last.

The soup was flavourful, but the fried black, white and red cracked peppercorns on top of the fish gave it that zesty, fragrant kick. It worked well as the flavours were in balance.

The Sambal Seafood Spaghetti was delicious. It was like eating pasta tossed in an asam sauce with clams, prawns and squid in it. It was also spicy and garlicky.

Earlier, we shared starters of Salmon Duo, Spicy Beef Brisket and Grilled Stuffed Chicken Wings. Salmon tartare and salmon mousse made up the plate for the Salmon Duo, with a small salad and the crispiest toast. Fresh-chopped salmon, dill and shallots were in the tartare which was topped with sour cream. I preferred the tartare over the salmon mousse.

Boneless and smoky chicken wings is a good start to a meal.The Spicy Beef Brisket needed a little tweaking to bring out the flavours. We had another portion that had more mint and less sugar in its sweet and tart dressing, and it was fine.

The Stuffed Chicken Wings were really good. The boneless wings had been stuffed with chicken sausage and a little cheese. They were smoky and succulent, tumbling the sausage and melted cheese wrapped up in crispy chicken skin on to the palate.

Mini bites of wagyu beef.Mini Wagyu Burgers were on the menu too, with three served on a wooden paddle, together with a bowl of air-fried potato chips. The lightly-toasted sesame bun had a flavourful and juicy wagyu beef patty touched with a little wasabi, beef bacon and thin beetroot slices, lettuce and cheese in between. You wouldn't want to share this scrumptious burger.

The Crispy Duck Tortilla presented shredded fragrant crispy duck together with julienned cucumber, spring onions and hoisin sauce. Some thin, fluffy pau or soft pancakes would have been delightful with these, instead of the thick, dry tortilla. I have told the chef, and he has taken note.

For dessert, we dig in the French Toast with Ice-cream which turned out to be just as good as those in the fancier cafes in Solaris Dutamas. The cubes of bread were crispy, eggy and buttery, with a tinge of salt to balance the sweetness.

They were drizzled with chocolate sauce and served with vanilla ice-cream. You could also have pancakes or chocolate with ice-cream here.

Tabletalk has a comfortable ambiance for diners to savour their food.Tabletalk has an extensive pork-free menu that takes you from breakfast to dinner. You could have a Deconstructed Egg Benedict (RM15), Cheese Omelette (RM13), Fluffy Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Fruits (RM12), or the Ultimate Brekkie (RM18) with eggs, turkey ham, sausages, rosti potatoes, baked beans and toast.

Here are prices of some of the food: The Salmon Duo is RM19, Stuffed Chicken Wings RM15, Crispy Duck with Crispy Rice RM18, Spicy Beef Brisket RM19, Mini Wagyu Beef Burgers RM36.

Tabletalk is open from 8am to 11pm. It is located at No 4, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Tel: 03-7733 7718.

How to make the ever-popular kaya in 9 easy steps

Posted: 02 Aug 2013 03:49 PM PDT

BY ELAINE HO
August 03, 2013
Latest Update: August 03, 2013 12:31 pm

What do you get when you combine eggs, sugar, coconut milk, flavoured with pandan? Oh nothing much really...just the most delicious, mouth-watering pandan jam ever created in this planet. Really.

Known as 'Kaya' here in Malaysia, this thick and glossy spread is a must-have in most Malaysian households. 'Kaya' literally means 'rich' in Malay, and this word perfectly describes the taste of this spread. They have a rich, sweet flavour that accompanies distinct hints of coconut milk and eggs.

There are two variants of kaya- the original one, which is that beautiful brown in colour, and the pandan flavoured one, which has a hint of green courtesy of pandan leaves, known to some as screwpine leaves. The perfect kaya is one with just the right shade of colour and a smooth, even texture without any unsightly lumps.

The colour of the kaya depends on the extent of caramelisation of the sugar during the cooking process. The key to perfect caramelisation is simple-sugar to gently break down and caramelize, then mingle with the coconut milk and the eggs. Using a double boiler is of tremendous help in ensuring uniform heating, which prevents any burning from occurring.

Although kaya is widely available in Asian countries, nothing beats making them at home. Not only are they your very own labour of love, they are also free from preservatives and artificial colourings, so you can consume them without a hint of worry.

For me, preparing the kaya myself gives me extra satisfaction when I'm enjoying it. The most common way to enjoy it would be having them with some butter on a slice of toast-the hot, slightly crunchy texture of the toast combined with the gentle melting of the butter and sweetness of the kaya is simply exquisite and very Malaysian indeed.

Preparation time: < 5 minutes

Cooking time: < 10 minutes

Serves 10-12

4 large chicken eggs

4 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoon coconut cream

a bunch of pandan leaves, knotted

1. Crack eggs into a large bowl

2. Using a fork, break the egg yolks and roughly mix the eggs

3. Add sugar and coconut cream and mix well

4. Heat a pot of water over high heat. Wait until it boils vigorously

5. In another clean pot add egg mixture, knotted pandan leaves and place over a pot of water, making sure it does not touch boiling water in the bottom pot

6. Diligently stir pandan egg mixture until you achieve a smooth consistency. This should take about 5 minutes

7. Pour pandan jam in a clean bowl

8. Spread pandan jam over toast to eat for breakfast.

9. Keep remaining pandan jam in the refrigerator for up to 5 days

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Wenger still keen on Suarez swoop

Posted: 02 Aug 2013 09:17 AM PDT

August 03, 2013
Latest Update: August 03, 2013 12:20 am

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (pic) has revealed Luis Suarez remains his top transfer target despite having two bids rejected for the Liverpool striker.

Wenger was expected to make several high-profile signings during the close-season after Arsenal talked up their transfer resources at the end of last term.

But a move for Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid never materialised as the Argentinian striker eventually signed for Napoli, while the Gunners' pursuit of want-away forward Suarez looks to have stalled.

The Gunners last week made a second improved bid of £40 million plus £1 (about RM190 million), which had been intended to trigger a clause that would allow them to discuss terms with the Uruguayan.

But the offer was rejected and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre insists the Reds have no intentions of selling Suarez, leaving Wenger without a marquee signing to parade in front of the Emirates Stadium faithful during this weekend's pre-season friendly tournament.

However, Wenger indicated today that Arsenal remain hopeful of eventually landing Suarez before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

"I don't want to speak about Suarez because that is between Liverpool and Arsenal. We will completely respect what Liverpool wants to do. We want to (sign the player) if it is feasible in an amicable way," Wenger said.

"I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world.

"But we work very hard, not only on the case you name, but on other different cases."

With an eight-year trophy drought proving a major frustration for Arsenal's fans, Wenger is under pressure to deliver the kind of big-name signings that would suggest a return to the club's glory days is on the horizon.

So far France under-20 forward Yaya Sanogo, who arrived on a free transfer from Auxerre, is the club's only new recruit.

Yet Wenger insists there is no chance he will be forced into panic buys just to appease the critics.

"We have signed Sanogo, he has not made the headlines. Why? Because he is not a £100 million player, but I am quite confident he will make the headlines soon on the pitch, and that for me is the most important," he said.

"We can still strengthen the squad, there is one month to go and we are working very hard.

"At the moment the market hasn't moved a lot. Apart from Man City, nobody has done anything.

"If you say we are under pressure to spend money then yes we are, but I feel more under pressure to spend the money in the right way. That is what I will try to do."

If Suarez does eventually make it to north London, the controversial star has already been warned by Wenger that he will have to clean up his act.

Suarez is currently serving a domestic 10-game ban imposed by the Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last season.

The Uruguay international had previously received an eight-match suspension and £40,000 fine from the FA for racially abusing Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra in December 2011.

"We have values that we want our players to respect. No matter where they come from, we will be very touchy on that of course," Wenger said.

"This club has built a reputation, not only during my period here but over 127 years, and the values that are very important for this club have to be respected by every player, no matter where he comes from. That will be with every potential signing." - AFP, August 2, 2013

Russia want Capello to stay for 2018 World Cup

Posted: 02 Aug 2013 01:29 AM PDT

August 02, 2013
Latest Update: August 03, 2013 12:29 am

Russian Football Union (RFU) chief Nikolai Tolstykh wants Fabio Capello (pic) to remain as national team coach for the 2018 World Cup on Russian soil.

"Capello has repeatedly said that he's happy with his job in Russia and the conditions that the RFU created for him here," Russian daily Sport Express quoted Tolstykh as saying in today's issue.

"The RFU value Capello's professional skills and his personal qualities of character highly.

"We're happy with the results that the country's national team show under his coaching. The RFU is very interested in further co-operation with Capello."

Last month the 67-year-old Italian manager dismissed rumours about his possible resignation after reportedly receiving an offer to replace Carlo Ancelotti at French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

"When a coach achieves some success in his profession it's natural that serious clubs show their interest in his services," Capello said last month.

"However, I can say that I love Russia and I'm completely happy to work here."

Russia are lying second in 2014 World Cup qualifying Group F with 12 points from five matches, two points behind leaders Portugal, who have already played seven matches.

Russia face hosts Northern Ireland on August 14 in a qualifier held over March because of heavy snow in Belfast in March. - AFP, August 2, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

No link between sleep, fatigue level, research shows

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 05:29 PM PDT

August 02, 2013
Latest Update: August 02, 2013 04:29 pm

New Swedish research has shown that there is little or no relation between how much sleep people get at night and how fatigued they feel, the head researcher said yesterday.

"The length of sleep is not a good measurement to analyse whether we get enough sleep or not," Torbjoern Aakerstedt said of the studies conducted at the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University.

"It's genetically conditioned and dependent on age and health," he said.

Aakerstedt's team conducted three different studies, one of which investigated the sleep patterns of nearly 6,000 individuals.

The research suggests that the number of hours slept is of much less importance in determining how a person functions throughout the day.

"If you feel fine and dynamic during the day, you've probably slept enough," said Aakerstedt.

The research, to be published later this year, found the average number of hours slept during a working week is six hours 55 minutes, with an extra hour's sleep during holidays.

The researcher said that 20-year-olds should sleep eight hours on average, whilst 60-year-olds require only six.

"But there is no general average," Aakerstedt added. "Twenty-year-olds can sleep even more, but still be tired during the day" as their brain is still developing.

Yet, although more sleep does not mean more energy, no one should sleep too little, as it affects one's health, he said.

Too little sleep can result in a weak immune system, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, workplace incidents and traffic accidents. - AFP, August 2, 2013

Mugabe, at 89 still hungry for power

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 04:42 PM PDT

August 02, 2013

Zimbabwe's veteran leader Robert Mugabe once quipped that he would rule his country until he turned 100.

It may have been just another witty remark from the notoriously sharp-tongued leader, but at 89, Mugabe shows few signs of flagging as he bids for a seventh turn in office.

In three turbulent decades at the helm of the former British colony, the firebrand leader has gone from a darling of the West to international pariah, and many are keen to see a new era in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe swept to power as a hero in the fight against white minority rule, bringing democracy to millions of black Zimbabweans, and was widely credited with health and education reforms.

But his lustre quickly faded.

From crushing political dissent to ushering in disastrous land reforms that saw the economy crumble, many accuse Mugabe of turning the regional breadbasket of Zimbabwe into a basket case.

Mugabe, using blistering rhetoric, has often blamed his country's downward spiral on international sanctions.

A new constitution approved in March could see Mugabe serve another two terms -- until he is 99 years old -- but he could not hide his age on the campaign trail.

His trademark walkabout was dropped in favour of a wave to supporters from the back of a van and as he harangued his enemies from the podium, his elbows leaned heavily on it for support.

Mugabe's health has been a topic of much speculation in recent years.

He makes frequent medical trips to Singapore -- purportedly to treat cataracts -- and a 2008 US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks mentioned he had prostate cancer.

But Mugabe retains an iron self-confidence, telling the New York Times in a rare interview ahead of Wednesday's election: "The 89 years don't mean anything."

"They haven't changed me, have they? They haven't withered me. They haven't made me senile yet, no. I still have ideas, ideas that need to be accepted by my people."

His tenacity is a constant source of chagrin for long-time political rival Morgan Tsvangirai who is making his third bid to unseat Mugabe, after being forced into an uneasy unity government following violent 2008 polls.

The choice for voters on Wednesday was "generational, not just political," Tsvangirai said.

Born on February 21, 1924, at Kutama Mission northwest of the capital Harare, Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born into a Catholic family and was described as a loner, and a studious child.

After his father walked out on Mugabe's mother and siblings when he was 10, the young man concentrated ever harder on his studies, and qualified as a schoolteacher at the age of 17.

An intellectual who initially embraced Marxism, he enrolled at Fort Hare University in South Africa, meeting many of southern Africa's future black nationalist leader

He then resumed teaching, moving to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and later Ghana -- whose founder president Kwame Nkrumah profoundly influenced him.

As a member of various nationalist parties that were banned by the white-minority government, Mugabe was detained with other nationalist leaders in 1964 and spent the next 10 years in prison camps or jail.

He used his incarceration to gain three degrees through correspondence courses, but the years in prison left their mark.

His four-year-old son by his first wife Sarah Francesca Hayfron died while he was behind bars, but Rhodesian leader Ian Smith would not allow him leave to attend the funeral.

Mugabe emerged in November 1974 as the leader of the ZANU political party, and left for Mozambique, from where his banned group conducted a guerrilla war on Smith's white-minority ruled Rhodesia.

Economic sanctions and war forced Smith to negotiate, after which ZANU, which drew most of its support from the ethnic Shona majority, swept to power in the 1980 election.

But the other side of Mugabe was coming to the fore. He crushed dissent among the minority Ndebele people with his North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade in a campaign that killed an estimated 20,000 suspected "dissidents" between 1982 and 1986.

In 2000 he launched controversial land reforms, driving out white farmers and seizing their land in often violent rampages by his supporters.

Productive commercial farms were redistributed to his cronies, devastating Zimbabwe's economy and leaving most rural dwellers reliant on food handouts.

By the turn of the millennium, a new challenger to Mugabe's hold on power had emerged, Morgan Tsvangirai, a miner and the leader of the country's largest union.

His MDC gained a strong following among urbanites and Zimbabweans in the rural west of the country, and he won a first round of voting in 2008 before pulling out of the second round citing violence against his supporters.

But Mugabe retains the support of a significant proportion of Zimbabweans, who cherish his image as a freedom fighter.

He never fails to attack his Western foes, particularly former colonial power Britain.

He has also taken aim at homosexuals, calling them "worse than pigs and dogs" and even fellow freedom fighter Nelson Mandela has not escaped his invective, being branded "too saintly, too good" to South Africa's white population.

Mugabe has vowed to step down if he loses the election, but the hardline policies that have characterised his rule will continue to appeal to his droves of fans, even as the voices of those calling for true democracy in Zimbabwe grow ever louder. - AFP, 2 August, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

Cameron to release three “Avatar” sequels

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 05:18 PM PDT

August 02, 2013
Latest Update: August 02, 2013 04:18 pm

Canadian director James Cameron (pic) is making three sequels to his film "Avatar," which will be released between 2016 and 2018, Fox Studios announced yesterday.

The 2009 film is the highest-grossing movie on record, having netted US$2.8 billion (about RM8.5 billion) at the box office worldwide.

Cameron had originally planned for only two sequels.

"In writing the new films, I've come to realise that 'Avatar's' world, story and characters have become even richer than I anticipated, and it became apparent that two films would not be enough to capture everything I wanted to put on screen," Cameron said in a statement.

The movie featured Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana and told the story of a paraplegic soldier sent to the fictitious planet of Pandora, which is coveted for its natural resources.

The three sequels will be filmed simultaneously beginning next year, Fox said in a statement. They will be released in December of 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Cameron, who wrote "Titanic" and "Avatar" by himself, has taken on four screenwriters for the project. Josh Friedman ("War of the World"), Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver ("Dawn of the Planet of the Apes") and Shane Salerno ("Armageddon" and "Savages") will work on the sequels.

"We at the studio have no higher priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of 'Avatar'," said Fox Film chief Jim Gianopulos in a statement.

According to trade magazine Variety, the budget for the three films could reach US$1 billion. - AFP, August 2, 2013

New mother Duchess of Cambridge makes best dressed list

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 05:05 PM PDT

August 02, 2013

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, made Vanity Fair's best dressed list for the fourth time since 2008, the magazine said on Wednesday, in an endorsement of her style choices leading up to the birth of her first child last week.

This year's list, which does not rank its chosen style setters, includes China's new first lady, Peng Liyuan, American actress Kerry Washington, singers Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, and Rolling Stone Keith Richards.

When asked to name his favorite icon, Richards told the magazine, "Why should I ... I am one!"

The magazine also praised Miami Heat basketball player LeBron James, New York Rangers hockey goalie Henrik Lundqvist and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, also made the list.

"The three athletes cite their style icons as "007 James Bond and Bruce Wayne; Frank Sinatra and Steve Jobs, respectively," Vanity Fair said in a statement.

Actress Charlize Theron and Brooke Shields were among the Hollywood notables on the list, along with former Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, Spain's Princess Letizia of Asturias and Sweden's Princess Madeleine, who wore a Valentino ivory silk organdy and Chantilly lace gown for her 2013 wedding in Stockholm.

The magazine also named Ronan Farrow to the list. The writer and human-rights lawyer who is the son of director Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow, said his style icon was another writer.

"Mark Twain, who knew his way around a three-piece suit," he said. - Reuters, 2 August, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books

‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ leaps to top of U.S. best-sellers list

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 04:55 PM PDT

August 02, 2013

"The Cuckoo's Calling" the detective novel written by J.K. Rowling under a pseudonym, shot to the top of the U.S. best-sellers list on Thursday.

The list is compiled using data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide.

Hardcover Fiction Last Week

1. "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (Mulholland, $26.00) 20

2. "Inferno" by Dan Brown (Doubleday, $29.95) 3

3. "First Sight" by Danielle Steel (Delacorte, $28.00) 2

4. "The English Girl" by Daniel Silva (Harper, $27.99) 1

5. "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead, $28.95) 4

6. "Second Honeymoon" by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Little, Brown, $28.00) 6

7. "Hidden Order" by Brad Thor (Atria, $27.99) 5

8. "Light of the World" by James Lee Burke (Simon & Schuster, 27.99) -

9. "Bombshell" by Catherine Coulter (Putnam, $26.95) 7

10. "The White Princess" by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone, $27.99) -

Hardcover non-fiction

1. "Happy, Happy, Happy" by Phil Robertson (Howard Books, $24.99) 1

2. "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg (Knopf, $24.95) 2

3. "Zealot" by Reza Aslan (Random House, $27.00) 7

4. "This Town" by Mark Leibovich (Blue Rider Press, $27.95) 3

5. "The Duck Commander Family" by Willie & Korie Robertson (Howard Books, $23.99) 5

6. "Life Code" by Dr. Phil McGraw (Penguin, $26.00) 6

7. "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls" by David Sedaris (Little, Brown $27.00) 8

8. "Grumpy Cat" by Grumpy Cat (Chronicle Books, $12.95) -

9. "American Gun" by Chris Kyle (William Morrow, $29.99) 9

10. "Dad Is Fat" by Jim Gaffigan (Crown Archetype, $25.00) 10

- Reuters, 2 August, 2013.

‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ leaps to top of U.S. best-sellers list

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 04:55 PM PDT

August 02, 2013

"The Cuckoo's Calling" the detective novel written by J.K. Rowling under a pseudonym, shot to the top of the U.S. best-sellers list on Thursday.

The list is compiled using data from independent and chain bookstores, book wholesalers and independent distributors nationwide.

Hardcover Fiction Last Week

1. "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (Mulholland, $26.00) 20

2. "Inferno" by Dan Brown (Doubleday, $29.95) 3

3. "First Sight" by Danielle Steel (Delacorte, $28.00) 2

4. "The English Girl" by Daniel Silva (Harper, $27.99) 1

5. "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead, $28.95) 4

6. "Second Honeymoon" by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Little, Brown, $28.00) 6

7. "Hidden Order" by Brad Thor (Atria, $27.99) 5

8. "Light of the World" by James Lee Burke (Simon & Schuster, 27.99) -

9. "Bombshell" by Catherine Coulter (Putnam, $26.95) 7

10. "The White Princess" by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone, $27.99) -

Hardcover non-fiction

1. "Happy, Happy, Happy" by Phil Robertson (Howard Books, $24.99) 1

2. "Lean In" by Sheryl Sandberg (Knopf, $24.95) 2

3. "Zealot" by Reza Aslan (Random House, $27.00) 7

4. "This Town" by Mark Leibovich (Blue Rider Press, $27.95) 3

5. "The Duck Commander Family" by Willie & Korie Robertson (Howard Books, $23.99) 5

6. "Life Code" by Dr. Phil McGraw (Penguin, $26.00) 6

7. "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls" by David Sedaris (Little, Brown $27.00) 8

8. "Grumpy Cat" by Grumpy Cat (Chronicle Books, $12.95) -

9. "American Gun" by Chris Kyle (William Morrow, $29.99) 9

10. "Dad Is Fat" by Jim Gaffigan (Crown Archetype, $25.00) 10

- Reuters, 2 August, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

A conspiracy to pull Malaysians apart

Posted: 01 Aug 2013 04:34 PM PDT

August 02, 2013
Latest Update: August 02, 2013 12:23 pm

Zan Azlee is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, writer, New Media practitioner and lecturer. He runs Fat Bidin Media www.fatbidin.com

In just a matter of approximately a month, we Malaysians have been flooded with all kinds of propaganda that seems to be threatening our racial harmony.

First, there was the stupid, moronic, idiotic and imbecilic couple Alvivi and their Bak Kut Teh spirited Ramadhan wish to all Malaysians.

Then there was the issue of a headmaster who made non-Muslims eat in a shower-changing room during Ramadhan (although it is wrong, I genuinely believe there was no malicious intent by the headmaster).

Now, we have this harmless video of a Muslim woman who made a video (three years ago, mind you) with herself and her dogs wishing people Selamat Hari Raya.

Now for this third one, it gets a little bit tricky. Many say its insulting to Islam. I, however, do not think so since there is nothing stated anyway in the religious books that say dogs are un-Islamic (but I'm a dog-lover, so sue me).

I could not care less about whether Islam is being insulted, if there is a big racist plot to bring down all the non-Malays in the country, or if the fork ran away with the spoon.

What bothers me is the fact that on Facebook timeline (yes, the world has come down to this - when an entire societal situation can be extrapolated from FB!), things are not rosy.

My timeline has been divided into two distinct sides - those who are on one side, and those who are on the other. And it pains me to see this happening.

With all these stories coming out in the media, there has never been a larger rift in Malaysia than I can ever remember in my entire 35 years of being alive.

I cannot help but wonder if all these are just part of an elaborate media strategy with an aim to create dischord and disharmony amongst Malaysian... for selfish reasons.

It seems just too convenient that our top national leaders are able to come up with all kinds of populist comments and statements to appeal to their target market.

And it also so happens to be their favourite strategy - something they learned from our colonial masters all those decades ago - of divide and conquer.

So now the ultra Malay Muslims are getting all defensive and the non-Malays are all getting angry and fuming. And when a situation like this is allowed to boil and fester, emotions starts to get out of control.

And it is very obvious that the leader (or leaders) that can appeal to this heightened emotions is going to be the leader (or leaders) that people will turn to in tense situations like these.

Oh and what is this I hear? The Umno general assembly date has been set? It is going to be in the first week of December? That is, just three months away to the party's most important internal election.

An election that is so important that it would literally decide Malaysia's leadership. And rumours that the party's leaders have started galvanising support from members are rife.

So, to all Malaysians out there. I would like to make a call. It may be cliched, but it is important to remember nonetheless.

Listen above the ruckus and realise that we are better than everything that has been going on. I have faith that Malaysians, in the bigger scheme of things, are smart, intelligent, understanding and empathic. - August 2, 2013.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.